Sun protection

[Tresco]

Don't want to be Nanny, but it's time to get in new stocks of factor 30+. I've been using it for about three weeks now, and I still have managed to achieve rather fetching shorts/wellies lines on my legs.

Got a little bit of a thing about this, due to the skin cancer co-ordinater for a northern region of UK constantly bombarding me with horror stories.

It's a different sun over here, I take it very seriously

 

[Iceni]

The following is not an April Fools Joke.

Australian skin specialists have upped the amount of sun exposure the average person should get to a minimum of 15 mins a day without sunscreen or any lotion. They found that their warnings about covering up and slapping on the sun lotion had caused an epidemic of Vit D deficiency. This vitamin is mainly gained from sun exposure and lack of it causes cancer and bone breakage.

The comment was that this was one of the greatest U turns in medical history.

They have tried replacing natural Vit D with artificial or other sources but the sun seems to be the form that gives the benefits. Sun exposure Vit D can be stored in the body for up to 60 days - so we all need our 15 mins right now while the sun shines. Remember we are not talking 15 mins between 12 and 2 pm but at other times of the day.

I am a very fair person but tend to get mine when I am hanging out the washing and pottering in the morning. I also get sun induced urticaria but realise that I need the sun even in small doses. 

http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/182_06_210305/dia10848_fm.html

Children who have a higher exposure to sunlight also have less chance of developing MS - all change then

[Deby]

I am stunned by this revelation.  I worked onthe 'Me No Fry' campaign back in the 90's in Australia.  Who have thought eh!

I have fair skin and do like a glow, but am always aware of the dangers. Plus it ages you prematurely - guess that is why I look so young

[Teamedup]

I have bought Roc total for years now. I use that and stay out of it if I can.

 

Different sun , yup, feels like it sometimes I must admit.

 

[letrangere]

But I can understand why the Aussies took such drastic action in the first place.  When we lived there in the late 80s, I met so many, many people who had had moles or patches of skin removed due to skin cancer.  It had almost reached epidemic levels.

Actually, I don't think it's a bad idea for fair skinned people to wear a moisturiser with an SPF of 10 or 15 even in winter in many parts of France.  South of the Loire the sun can be quite strong on fine days even in February.  And it helps to protect the skin from wind and rain even on rotten days.

Incidentally, despite living in Aus and the Middle East, the worst case of sunburn/heat stroke I've ever had was in the Dordogne one August.

M

[Jo53]

Am often shocked by the number of toddlers and young children you see running around here in swimsuits/trunks with dark brown tans. Though I think the paranoia about children's sun exposure has got silly in Britain. My sister's toddler has more chance of getting ricketts thru vitamin D deficiency than skin cancer, as never a ray is allowed to touch her.

Jo

[Tresco]

Thinking back to a few years ago, it was when the rate of skin cancers in Britain increased disproportionately higher to those in Australia (due to the effects of education there) that people first started to get jumpy about it in England.

"Though I think the paranoia about children's sun exposure has got silly in Britain.

Like so many things have got very silly, the morbid fear of germs/bacteria etc.

My sister's toddler has more chance of getting ricketts thru vitamin D deficiency than skin cancer, as never a ray is allowed to touch her".

I suspect there is more than a little truth in this, but it is almost impossible to say anything without offending or annoying people who have got these ideas into their heads, isn't it, especially where children are concerned?

 

[Iceni]

I was watching SKY TV yesterday and they were advertising sun block (f 30) and read out the new advice that this should not be worn at all times as 10 to 15 mins a day with NO sun tan lotion on, outside the peak hours was now recommended due to the rise in other cancers and fractures caused by the Vit D deficiency now seen.

It is only because people cannot be sensible and will insist on being outside from 12:00 to 15:00 in the full sun. They also think that the sun blocks do not work and using one to stop skin cancer is a lost cause if you are out between those hours.

I am fair and will get my pension in 18 months and don't have a wrinkle on my face. Main cause of wrinkles is smoking - if you have ever smoked your skin will probably be wrinkled and if you have sunbathed as well this effect will be magnified.

Sat outside of a cafe today in full sun with no block on - only 10:30 am and only did it for 10 mins.

Wearing 'shades' all the time is also not advised as you need sunlight to hit the brain via the optic nerve and you won't do this with so called 'sun glasses' on. Again, only in moderation.

Perhaps all these brown children will be lucky and have the reduced risk of MS that is predicted - blame it all on Coco Chanel - before her sunbathing or suntanned skin in a woman was regarded as 'common', hence the 'blue blood' of the well off who could afford to stay out of the sun while the poor worked in the fields.

[Lizzie15]

"I am fair and will get my pension in 18 months and don't have a wrinkle on my face"            You are a very lucky lady then!!I'm fair, younger and decidedly wrinkly!!! Nope, don't smoke...I was born wrinkly,well,yes we all are but what I mean is that I've always had wrinkles!Kind people call them "laughter lines" but call 'em what you will...